Season preview: ‘Proud’ York City sponsors (From York Press)

Season preview: ‘Proud’ York City sponsors

6:00pm Wednesday 8th August 2012 in News

Benenden Healthcare Society are teaming up with the Minstermen ahead of the 2012/13 campaign.

NEW shirt sponsors Benenden Healthcare are counting down the days to the start of York City’s League Two campaign.

There a great sense of excitement around the Benenden Healthcare offices in Holgate Park Drive as the new season rapidly approaches.

“Many of our staff are already dedicated lifelong City fans, but having their employer’s logo on the front of the shirt has heightened their anticipation of the season’s start,” said Marc Bell, Benenden Healthcare’s marketing and business strategy director.

“We’re all incredibly proud of what the club achieved in May and being ‘back in the Football League’ has a special ring to it.

“Staff in the office are keenly speculating on City’s chances and being a real part of the club during the task ahead is an added dimension.”

Being the club’s new shirt sponsor made sense to the team at Benenden Healthcare.

Bell said: “We saw a fantastic opportunity to support York’s biggest sports club – North Yorkshire’s only professional football outfit – and also be part of their major contribution to the local community.

“They have a fantastic team at the club, on the pitch and behind the scenes, and we were impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of chairman Jason McGill and the board.

“Sport is all about health and wellbeing in conjunction with the community. Our existing work in the community has already given us a strong presence in York, but this partnership will embed that even further.

“York City’s own community work is highly impressive and makes a real difference to sport in the city – particularly their youth coaching work. We hope to work together with the club on these initiatives.”

York-based Benenden Healthcare Society are a non-profit mutual organisation that provide a range of low-cost healthcare services for a membership of more than 900,000 across the UK.

They have already put its medical expertise to good use, as a team of practitioners from the organisation recently put the first team squad through a series of health checks – including using an ECG machine to measure heart strength.

Bell continued: “It made perfect sense that, if we’re a healthcare provider, we can use our knowledge and expertise to help the club ensure players are in peak condition.

“Footballers are athletes at the highest level putting their bodies through regular stress and strain, so it becomes doubly important to keep an eye on their health.”

Benenden Healthcare hope to have staff at the majority of home games this season as York City adjust to life back in the Football League.

Bell is enthusiastic about the club’s chances, saying: “City’s double Wembley triumph will certainly be hard to beat, but Gary Mills and the club have made some key signings to complement a squad that will be able to stand its ground against the best of League Two.

“Staff at Benenden will be looking to make Bootham Crescent their second home and we’re really looking forward to supporting the club in the long term.”